Kim Putters: ‘Toward shared prosperity’

WILLEMSTAD/KRALENDIJK, November 9, 2025 — At the annual meeting of the International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (AICESIS) held in Willemstad, Curaçao, under the chairmanship of the Social & Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao, Prof. Dr. Kim Putters, chairman of the Social & Economic Council of the Netherlands (SER Netherlands), stressed in a closed session the importance of shared prosperity and structural collaboration within the Kingdom. In the wake of his public lecture “Navigating the Narrow Path to Shared Prosperity: A Societal Transition”, delivered at the University of Curaçao (UoC) on March 5 this year, Mr. Putters emphasized the need for a robust knowledge base, open dialogue with social partners and consistent implementation of policies that unite wealth and environment.

Under Curaçao’s two-year presidency of AICESIS, progress has been achieved with the development of the Sustainable Growth Index (SGI) — a practical tool designed for governments to steer toward prosperity that is economic, social and ecological in equal measure, with a long-term horizon. “It was inspiring to see how Curaçao provided agenda-setting leadership,” Mr. Putters said. “It was an honour to be part of it.”

Following the conference, the Dutch delegation led by Mr. Putters conducted a four-day working visit to Bonaire. In meetings with local officials and civil-society stakeholders, the SER Netherlands explored how it can contribute concretely to the socio-economic development of the three BES-islands. Additional online sessions were held with Sint Eustatius (Statia) and Saba. The objective: peer-to-peer knowledge sharing, a shared advisory methodology and data-driven policy design aligned with the principle of broad-based prosperity.

The mission concluded with an invitation to the ceremonial celebration of the installation of Curaçao’s new Governor, Mr. Mauritsz de Kort, held at the Governor’s Palace. “Masha danki for the open conversations, the hospitality and the friendship,” Mr. Putters remarked.